Plumbing • RepairRiot

Drain / Sewer Troubleshooting & Repair Guides

Find the closest drain / sewer plumbing symptom and open the guide that matches what is happening before you take things apart or replace parts.

Find The SymptomCheck SafelyFix The Right Problem

Find your drain / sewer problem

Start with the symptom you can see. If water is active, shut it off first, then use the guide that matches the first thing that went wrong.

Backups and clogs

Drain clogged

A drain is blocked or clearing poorly.

Drain backs up when toilet flushes

Water backs up elsewhere during a toilet flush.

Drain backs up only downstairs

Lower-level fixtures back up first.

Floor drains and cleanouts

Basement floor drain backing up

Water comes up through the basement floor drain.

Drain cleanout overflowing

Water comes from a cleanout cap or pipe.

Outside cleanout overflowing

The outside cleanout overflows or seeps.

Slow drains and gurgling

Drain keeps clogging

The same drain clogs again after clearing.

Drain gurgles after flush

Gurgling follows toilet use or other fixture draining.

Sink and tub both slow

Multiple fixtures drain slowly together.

Roots, grease, and weather

Drain blocked by roots

Root intrusion may be blocking the line.

Drain blocked by grease

Grease buildup restricts the drain.

Drain overflows in rain

Heavy rain triggers backups or overflow.

Smells and wet areas

Drain sewer smell after dry spell

Sewer smell appears after dry conditions.

Basement odor near floor drain

Odor comes from a floor drain area.

Cleanout area wet in yard

Wet ground appears around the cleanout.

Drain / Sewer Troubleshooting & Repair Guides

Find your drain / sewer problem

Backups and clogs

Drain clogged

Drain backs up when toilet flushes

Drain backs up only downstairs

Floor drains and cleanouts

Basement floor drain backing up

Drain cleanout overflowing

Outside cleanout overflowing

Slow drains and gurgling

Drain keeps clogging

Drain gurgles after flush

Sink and tub both slow

Roots, grease, and weather

Drain blocked by roots

Drain blocked by grease

Drain overflows in rain

Smells and wet areas

Drain sewer smell after dry spell

Basement odor near floor drain

Cleanout area wet in yard

More Plumbing topics

Kitchen Sink

Bathroom Sink

Toilet

Shower

Bathtub

Faucet

Sump Pump

Well Pump / Pressure Tank

Water Pressure

Shutoff Valves

Frozen Pipes

Sink Components

Pipes / Fittings